We love the mighty Canberra Raiders
The Canberra Raiders have received a major boost before this weekend's finals clash against the Knights, announcing the extension of Hudson Young until the end of the 2027 season.
Young was already contracted at the nation's capital for 2024 but has been rewarded for strong form which saw him earn State of Origin selection earlier this year.
Speaking to the club's official website, Young said his "biggest goal" is to win a premiership with the Raiders.
The siege mentality so effectively utilised by Canberra sports teams on the national stage since the 1970s was odds-on to be part of the build-up ahead of the Raiders-Knights elimination final on Sunday.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said as much in the wake of the 24-6 loss to the Sharks, which came on the back of the 29-18 defeat at the hands of the Broncos.
After two losses in a row heading into this weekend's finals, Stuart declared, "I don't know if anyone knows we are in the finals. We weren't meant to be".
This is an indication, of sorts, that he was ready to embrace an 'us against them' approach.
Canberra has scored a pre-finals boost with representative star Hudson Young committing long-term.
The 25-year-old backrower has signed a fresh three-year contract which ties him to the Australian capital until the end of 2027.
"This club means everything to me and my family and it's been home for me since 2017 and I'm really excited to extend my stay," Young said.